MADRID, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Rayo Vallecano is looking to make history on Thursday in the first leg of its Conference League semifinal at home to Strasbourg.

The Madrid-based club is competing in Europe for only the second time in its history, after having reached the quarterfinal of the UEFA Cup 25 years ago.

Rayo qualified for the semifinal after beating AEK Athens in the last eight, winning the first leg 3-0 in its Vallecas Stadium and then surviving a tremendous fightback in Athens where AEK leveled the tie before Izi Palazon scored the winner to see Rayo through.

The team is currently 11th in La Liga with 39 points, five clear of the relegation zone.

The Conference League, founded in 2021, is the third tier of European club football, ranking below the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. ■